Four overnight airstrikes reportedly target runway in eastern Idlib as Damascus remains silent and identity of attacking aircraft remains unclear
DAMASCUS: Unidentified fighter jets carried out four overnight airstrikes against the Abu al-Duhur military airfield in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province, Arab media reported on Tuesday.
The strikes reportedly targeted the runway of the military installation in the eastern Idlib countryside, approximately 70 kilometres from the Turkish border.
A correspondent for Qatar-based Al Jazeera reported four separate strikes on the airfield. However, information about the incident remained limited, while Syrian authorities had not issued an official statement by Tuesday morning.
Other regional media outlets similarly attributed the attack to unidentified aircraft without determining who conducted the operation.
Reports Speculate Over Possible Israeli Role
Meanwhile, Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen suggested that Israel carried out the strikes. However, the Israeli military had not claimed responsibility or commented on any recent operation targeting the airfield.
Additionally, other Arab media reports did not independently identify the Israeli Air Force as responsible for the attack.
No casualties were immediately reported, while authorities had yet to disclose the extent of damage to the runway, military facilities or equipment stationed at the base.
Strategic Airfield Changed Hands During Syrian War
Abu al-Duhur lies east of Idlib city and has repeatedly changed control during Syria’s prolonged conflict.
Rebel forces captured the military airfield in 2015 after a lengthy siege. Subsequently, forces loyal to former president Bashar al-Assad regained control in early 2018.
However, rebel forces captured the installation again in November 2024 during the offensive that eventually brought down Assad’s government.
Since Assad’s fall, the area surrounding Abu al-Duhur has remained under the authority of Syria’s new government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The absence of an official Syrian response has left key questions unanswered, including the attacking force’s identity, the intended objective and whether the strikes significantly damaged the strategically located military facility.
